The Man and His Message

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.

Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive…”

“It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.”

 

- Michael H. Hart
(From the 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History)

 

The Greatest Person to have Ever Lived:

 

 

Muhammad (PBUH) – In the eyes of others:

 

It’s called Mindset!!

As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

“Well,” he said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” My friend was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? So make an attempt to grow further… Why shouldn’t we try it again?

“YOUR ATTEMPT MAY FAIL, BUT NEVER FAIL TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT.”

 

Courtesy : A dear friend from the Secondary School, Huzefa Sammaswala.

IslamicGoogle – Search about Islam

Here’s good news for those seeking to search exclusive information about Islam and Muslims on the Internet. A new search engine called  IslamicGoogle  has been launched. The search engine is powered by Google. According to the available information, the search engine will use “safe search” technology and will produce results with more preference to famous Islamic websites from all over the Internet.

The search engine declares that “Islamic search engine powered by Google striving to provide an easy to use resource to anyone wanting to learn more about Islam and provide a good way for muslims to surf the web safely.

IslamicGoogle is powered by Google using “safe search” technology, it produces results from all over the internet with more weighting to given to famous islamics websites and eliminates the vast majority of unsavoury content, such as pornography, it apply strict filtering for both explicit text and explicit images.

The site is not associated or affiliated with Google.com, we work closely with Google to help ensure that the results are not objectionable in nature, however, some of the results and adverts that are displayed may not be in line with Islam and we do not endorse any of the results or adverts displayed on Islamic Google.

IslamicGoogle, The best way for good muslims to surf the web”

The Helpful Old Lady

I read this funny story as a comic strip, when I was a kid. I remember having laughed so much after reading this story; in one of the Tinkle Comics.

 

One afternoon, an old lady, laden with shopping, noticed two small boys on the front step of a house. With their bags and uniforms they were obviously going home after school. They were on tip-toe trying to reach the door-bell with a stick.

“Poor little lads, they can’t get in,” she thought, “Parents these days just don’t seem to care.”

So she marched up the path, reached over the boys and gave the bell a long firm push.

The surprised boys turned around and screamed “Quick, run!” and promptly disappeared over the garden wall.

The Cab Ride

The Cab Ride
- author unknown

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxies as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. The passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. “Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.  After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her eighties stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then turned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said.  When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.” I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. “I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow down in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. “How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers,” I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengeres that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of the day, I could hardly talk.  What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware, beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

People may not remember exactly what you did or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Q&A : Burying better than Cremating Dead Bodies

Question : Why do Muslims bury dead bodies instead of cremating them, i.e. burning them?

Answer By Dr Zakir Naik

 

• Components of human body present in the soil : Elements that are present in the human body are present in lesser or greater quantity in the soil. Hence it is more scientific to bury a dead body, as it easily gets decomposed and mixed in the soil.

• No Pollution : Cremating (burning) the dead body leads to pollution of the atmosphere which is detrimental to health and harmful for the environment. There is no such pollution caused by burying a dead body.

• Surrounding land becomes fertile : To cremate a dead body several trees have to be chopped, which reduces the greenery and harms the environment and the ecology. When dead bodies are buried, besides the trees being saved, the surrounding land becomes fertile and it improves the environment.

• Economical : It is expensive to cremate a dead body when tons of wood have to be burned. Annually there is a loss of crores of rupees, only because dead bodies are cremated in India. Burying dead bodies is very cheap. It hardly costs any money.

• Same land can be utilised for burying another body : The wood used for cremating a dead body cannot be reutilised for cremating another dead body since it gets converted to ashes. The land used for burying a dead body can be reutilised for burying another body after a few years since the human body gets decomposed and mixed in the soil.

 

Above all, it has been prescribed by Allah that we should bury a dead body.

 

And Allah knows best.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : Eternal Rest

 

After the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had been made perfect and complete, Allah sent down the revelation:

“This day I have perfected your religion, completed my favors upon you, and declared Islam as your Religion” [Surah Al-Maidah:3]

The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) had delivered the message truthfully. He had spared no pains. He had not let any hardship or sacrifice shake him. He had brought up the people who could be trusted to live up to the spiritual heritage of the Prophets of Allah (SWT), who could shoulder the heavy responsibility of carrying the banner of Faith and Truth and to guard the message of Allah against every interpolation and mutation. Allah had even affirmed that they were capable of the obligation laid on them in the Quranic verse that says:

“Ye are the best community that hath been raised-up for mankind, ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah.” [Surah Al-'Imran 110]

The Quran contains Allah’s pure and holy truth, the source of inspiration and conviction to these people, which enjoyed the assurance of Allah from being eclipsed or from undergoing any corruption in its text.

“Verily We reveal the Reminder, and verily We are its Guardian.” [Surah Al-Hijr 9]

On the other hand, Allah’s help and victory came to invigorate the Prophet (peace be upon him) who saw the people entering the religion of Allah in large numbers. Delegations from Arab tribes followed one after another in rapid succession to pledge their allegiance to him. The lightning speed or the geometric growth, with which Islam gained converts, promised its victory over all religions of the world.

Allah, in Surah an-Nasr, makes an allusion to the rapid success of Islam:

“When Allah’s succor and the triumph cometh And You seest mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops. Then hymn the praises of Your Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy.” [Surah An-Nasr 1-3]

 

RECITATION OF THE Quran AND DEVOTIONS

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to retreat into his mosque for private devotions during the last ten days of Ramadan, but during the last Ramadan of his life he had secluded himself for twenty days. (Al-Bukhari, Kitab ul-A’itika)

The Quran used to be reviewed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) with Jibreel (Gabriel) once annually during Ramadan, but this was done twice in the year which he died. The Prophet (peace be upon him) at such a time told his companions that he had some strong feelings that the time of his departure from the world was drawing near. (Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Manaqib)

No man has ever had the glowing desire to meet the Lord as possessed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Allah now gave him permission to quit the fleeting world.

The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) held him dear like the apple of one’s eye. His death was thus a shock more terrible than what they could be expected to endure. But Allah had in His infinite wisdom prepared them beforehand for that unprecedented heartache. The rumor about the Prophet’s death had been circulated around in the battle of Uhud, but later on it came out that Allah had still not deprived them of the blessed companionship of His Prophet (peace be upon him). Yet none of them had regarded the Prophet (peace be upon him) as immortal for they knew that he would have to leave this world sooner or later. It was on that occasion that the revelation was sent down by Allah to forewarn Muslims. As the Quran says:

“Muhammed is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back doth not hurt Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.” [Surah Al-'Imran 144]

The earliest Muslims had been guided, trained and set right by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Their hearts were harmonized with Allah and they were all put in harness at the great task of spreading the message of Islam to the farthest corners of the world. And they never had any doubt that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would one day be summoned by the Lord in order to be recompensed for the greatest service rendered by him in humanity.

The verse:  “When Allah’s succor and the triumph cometh,”  had convinced the companions that it was but the first announcement of the Prophet’s approaching departure from their midst. They were fully conscious of the fact that reference to the help and victory coming from Allah signified completion of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) mission.

Then, when the revelation came,  “This day have I perfected your religion…”, a number of eminent companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were led to believe that the time for his final summons was drawing near. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 427)

 

ARDENT DESIRE FOR PROXIMITY TO ALLAH

After his return from the farewell pilgrimage, a number of things done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated that he was approaching the journey’s end and he was now making preparations for meeting the ‘Companion Most High’.  Eight years after the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed over those who were slain there like one who was bidding farewell to the living and the dead. He then mounted the pulpit and said, “I am one who goes before you and I shall be a witness to you. Your appointed place is at the Haud-I-Kauthar where I find myself standing. I have been given the keys of the treasure of the earth, and I do not fear for you that you would become polytheists after I am gone, but I fear lest you should long for worldly things and strike each other’s necks.”

 

BEGINNING OF THE ILLNESS

The sickness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) began shortly before the end of Safar. Late in one night, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to the cemetery of Madinah, known as Jannatul Baqi, where he prayed for the dead and returned to his house. The next morning his ailment began.

‘Aisha relates that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) returned from the Jannatul Baqi he was suffering from a headache and was muttering, “O my head.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Nay, O my head! ‘Aisha, O my head!” His pain increased. Then, in the house of Maymuna the Prophet (peace be upon him) called his wives and asked their permission to be nursed in the house of ‘Aisha. All of them agreed and the Prophet (peace be upon him) came out walking supported by Fad b. ‘Abbas and ‘Ali. He had a cloth bound on his head and his feet were dragging as he came to the house of ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). (Al-Bukhari, Chap. Mard-un-Nabi)

‘Aisha tells that during the illness from which the Prophet (peace be upon him) never recovered he told her, “Aisha, I still feel pain from the food I took at Khaybar, now I feel my aorta being cut because of it.”

 

SOLICITUDE FOR THE WELFARE OF MUSLIMS

Some of the Prophet’s companions came to see him during his illness in the house of ‘Aisha. He welcomed them and prayed for their guidance on the right path and invoked the help and blessings of Allah for them. Thereafter he said, “I enjoin you to fear Allah and assign you to His care after me. I am a warner unto you from Allah. Behold! Never give yourselves to arrogance and vainglory in the habitations of Allah’s servants for Allah has told you and me: ‘As for the Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).” [Quran 28:83]

Then he recited another verse: “Is not the home of the scorners in Hell?” [Quran 39:60]

 

INDIFFERENCE TO THE WORLD AND WEALTH

‘Aisha relates that during his illness, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked her, “Aisha, what has happened to those pieces of gold?” When she brought five or seven or nine dirhams, he took them in his hands and said, “How shall I face Allah with these in my possession? Give these away in charity.”

 

ANXIETY FOR THE PRAYERS

While the Prophet (peace be upon him) was caught in a debilitating sickness, he inquired, “Has everybody offered prayers?” Those attending him replied, “No, O Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him), they are waiting for you.” He asked someone to bring water in a pan. After being served with his request, he took a bath and tried to get up, but fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness after a short while, he again asked, “Has everybody offered prayers?” They replied, “No, O Prophet of Allah, they are waiting for you.” All the people were then sitting silently in the Prophet’s Mosque for the night prayer. Now Abu Bakr was considerate enough and concerned with the prevailing situation that he asked ‘Umar to lead the prayer. ‘Umar, however, declined saying that he (Abu Bakr) was more qualified than he was. Thus, Abu Bakr lead.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) felt a bit better he came out taking the help of ‘Abbas and ‘Ali for the noon prayer. As soon as Abu Bakr came to know of the Prophet’s arrival, he tried to step back, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) directed him not to leave his place and asked the two who were supporting him to let him take the seat by the side of Abu Bakr. Thus, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the prayer sitting while Abu Bakr kept standing in the prayer.

Umm Al-Fadl ibn al-Harith says that she had heard Allah’s Messenger reciting Surah al-Mursalat at the sunset prayer. Thereafter he did not lead any prayer until Allah summoned him to His presence. (Al-Bukhari, Kitab us-Salat)

 

AN ADDRESS

Of the few occasions when the Prophet (peace be upon him) made for the pulpit during his illness, he once said while a cloth was tied around his head. “Behold, Allah gave to His bondmen the choice between this world and that which is with Him, so he chose that which is with Allah.” Abu Bakr saw the significance of the Prophet’s word, for he knew that it was the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself who had been given that choice. He broke into tears and exclaimed, “Nay, may our own lives and our children be your ransom.’

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then replied, “Abu Bakr, have patience and don’t be hasty. Indeed, of all the people, the most generous toward me in regard to his life and property was Abu Bakr. And, were I to choose anyone to be my dearest friend, indeed I would choose Abu Bakr. But the love and concern for Islam takeS precedence above all others.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said in this occasion, “There shall be left open no door of the mosque save Abu Bakr’s”. (Al-Bukhari, Kitab Us-Salat)

 

DIRECTIVES FOR KINDLINESS TO THE ANSAAR

‘Abbaas and company happened to pass by a group of Ansaar. They saw them weeping and asked, “What makes you weep?” They answered, “We have been recalling our meetings with the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him).” When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed of the incident, he came out, the end of his mantle wound round his head, and mounted the pulpit. He did not mount the pulpit again after that day when he praised Allah and extolled Him. Then he said, “I commend the Ansaar to you, for, behold, they are my intimates and bosom friends. They have fulfilled their duty, and now whatever claims they have on others remain to be requited. Therefore, you shall welcome whatever is done by the good among them, and forgive those that do wrong.” (Al-Bukhari, Fada’il Ashab)

 

LAST LOOK AT THE MUSLIMS IN PRAYER

Abu Bakr continued to lead the prayer. On a Monday morning, when the people were performing the dawn prayer, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) lifted the curtain of his door and kept his gaze fixed in the worshippers for some time to see how they paid honors to the Lord. He perhaps wanted to see the results of his life-long endeavor and struggle, training and guidance. Or, perhaps, having ever been so much fond of prayers, he wanted to know how they were enthralled and lost in prayers in his absence as they had always been in his presence. What the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw was extremely satisfying. For, never had the mission of any Prophet (peace be upon him) been carried out to completion in that manner. It reassured him that the attachment of the community he brought up to Allah and His religion was ever durable and undying, not transient to wear away after his death. Allah knows better how delighted he was, as his companions say, when his face was beaming with joy. They relate that “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) lifted the curtain and kept his eyes fixed upon them, standing on ‘Aisha’s door. It seemed as if his face was an open book. He smiled and then laughed. We thought that we might be seduced or distracted from our prayers because perhaps, he was coming out to perform the same. But he told us to complete what we were doing and then he pulled down the curtain. And that was the day on which he died.” (Al-Bukhari, Mard-an-Nabi)

 

INTERDICTION OF PRAYERS AT SEPULCHERS

Among the last words uttered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) were: “Allah’s curse is upon the Jews and Christians for having taken their Prophets’ graves as places of worship.”

‘Aisha and Ibn ‘Abbas related that when the time for the Prophet’s death drew nigh, he had a black striped sheet over him. Often, he pulled it over his face and then having felt restless, removed it. It was in this condition that he said, “Allah’s curse is upon the Jews and Christians for having taken their Prophets’ graves as places of worship.”

He was warning the Muslims against such a practice.

 

THE LAST COUNSEL

When he was about to breathe his last, he said repeatedly “Lo! Be careful of prayer and of those whom you possess or have under your charge.” He continued to repeat these words until they became inaudible but it appeared that he was trying to express them. (Baihaqi and Ahmad, Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p.473)

‘Ali says that he heard the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) commending the Muslims to be careful of prayer and poor-due and to be generous to their slaves and subordinates.

‘Aisha relates that while she has started reciting the last two Surahs of the Quran over the Prophet (peace be upon him), he lifted up his eyes and said, “With the Exalted Companion! with the Exalted Companion!” Just at that moment ‘Abdurahman b. Abu Bakr entered the room with a green toothstick in his hand. The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked at in a way that she thought he wanted it. She chewed it a little to make it soft and pliable, and gave it to him. He rubbed his teeth with it as he used to rub before and tried to hand it over to her but it fell down from his hands.

She further says that a cup of water was kept near him. He dipped his hand in it and then wiped his face, saying, “There is no God but Allah. Verily, there are pangs of death.’ Then he lifted up his forefinger and said, “With the Exalted Companion” until his soul took departed and his forefinger dropped on one side into the water.

‘Aisha said that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was about to leave them behind, he had his head on her thigh. He fainted in a split second and then regaining consciousness, looked up towards the ceiling, saying all the while, “Verily, with the Exalted Companion!” And with these words on his lips, the Prophet (peace be upon him) of Allah was yielding his last breath.

 

HOW THE PROPHET (peace be upon him) LEFT THIS WORLD

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) abandoned this world, he had all of Arabia well in his hand. The sovereign and rulers were scared by his rising power while his companions were ever willing to undergo any sacrifice, to lay down their own lives and to surrender up their wealth, property and children for his sake. Yet he left this world without a single dinar or dirham or a slave or a bondmaid in his possession. All that he owned at the time was one white mule, some weapons and a piece of land, which had already been given away in charity. (Al-Bukhari, Mard un-Nabi)

The Prophet’s coat of mail had been pawned to a Jew for thirty Sa’s of barley (Al-Bukhari, Mard un-Nabi) when he died and nothing was left with him to retrieve it. (Baihaqi, p. 52)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) secured the freedom of forty slaves during his illness. Only six or seven dinars were left with ‘Aisha, but he asked her to give away even those in charity. (Al-Siratul Halabiyah, Vol. III, p. 381)

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) relates that on the day the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) died, there was nothing in her house which could be taken by a living being except for a little barley left in a cupboard. It lasted for a few days until she weighed it, and that very day it was all used.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) died on Monday, the 12th day of Rabia ul-Awwal in the heat of noon after the sun had passed the meridian. He was then sixty-three years of age. (As related by most of the Traditionists) This was the darkest hour for the Muslims, a day gloomy and lament for humanity just as his birth had signaled hope and cheerfulness for the whole world. Anas and Abu S’aid al-Khudri said that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to Madinah, everything looked better and brighter but no day was worse or darker than the day he died. Some of the people saw Umm Aymaan weeping when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was bed-ridden. When they asked what had made her weep, she replied, “Of course, I know that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) will quite leave this world but I am weeping because the revelation from heaven has come to an end.” (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)

 

BEWILDERMENT OF THE COMPANIONS

The news of the Prophet’s death fell like a thunderbolt on his companions. All were stunned because of the ardent love and esteem they had for him. Such was their reliance on his loving care as the children are assured of the protection of their parents. Their distress was not at all surprizing, for Allah speaks of the Prophet’s concern for his followers: “There hath come unto you a Messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.” [Surah At-Taubah 128]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was so gracious and considerate that his every companion believed himself to be the closest to him and never had any misgivings about his love and confidence. It was the reliance born of absolute trust mingled with devotion that had made it difficult for some of them to think of the day when the Prophet (peace be upon him) would depart from this world leaving them alone. One of these was ‘Umar, who had been one of the closest to the Prophet (peace be upon him) , and when he was told that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was already dead, he protested violently. He went so far as to address the people in the Prophet’s mosque and told them that Allah’s Prophet (peace be upon him) would not quit this world until Allah had destroyed the hypocrites. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)

 

THE COURAGEOUS PROCLAMATION BY ABU BAKR (may Allah be pleased with him)

A man of determination and courage was needed at this difficult hour. And, this man was Abu Bakr, the most senior of the Prophet’s companions, who had been selected by Allah to take over the legacy of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with a firm hand. When the news reached him, he hurried back from his house. For a moment he stopped at the door of the mosque where ‘Umar was resolutely speaking to the people. without paying heed to anybody, he proceeded to Aisha’s room where the dead body of the Prophet (peace be upon him) lay covered with a mantle. He uncovered the Prophet’s face and kissed it. Then, he proceeded to say “My father and mother be your ransom. You have tasted the death Allah had decreed for you, a second death will never overtake you.”

Replacing the mantle on the Prophet’s face, he then went out to the Mosque. ‘Umar was still making a harangue to the people, so he said gently, “Umar, keep quiet.” But ‘Umar was too excited to listen to Abu Bakr.

Now, Abu Bakr realized that ‘Umar was not in a mood to terminate his speech. So he stepped forward and called out to the people, whereupon they came round to him leaving ‘Umar.

Abu Bakr praised Allah and then said: “O Men, if any one of you worshipped Muhammed, let him know that Muhammed is dead. But if anyone worships Allah, then Allah is alive and He willnever die.”

Then he recited the Quranic verse: “Muhammed is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels?” He who turneth back doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.” [Surah Aali-'Imraan 144]

All those persons who were present on the occasion later on stated on oath that when Abu Bakr recited the verse, it seemed as if it had just been revealed. ‘Umar said: “When I heard Abu Bakr reciting that verse, I was taken aback and fell down as if I did not have a leg to stand on. I felt as if I had then come to know of the Prophet’s death.”

 

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO ABU BAKR (may Allah be pleased with him)

All Muslims then swore faithfulness to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), in the Hall of Banu Sa’ida, as the successor of Allah’s Messenger. The reason for making haste was due to old rivalries flaring up suddenly through machinations of the devil and selfishness of the faint-hearted hypocrites. Those who were sincere and well-meaning wanted to ensure that the Muslims remained united and strong under a leader, who could look after their affairs and give a burial to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as his successor and head of the Muslim community.

 

BURIAL OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him)

Normalcy returned thereafter. The initial shock and grief gave way to tranquility and confidence and the Muslims again turned to the great task for which they had been trained and prepared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) of Allah. The Prophet’s family members washed and covered him, and stationed the bier in his house. On this occasion, Abu Bakr informed the people that the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him that every Prophet was buried on the spot where he dies. The Prophet’s bedding was accordingly removed from the place and Abu Talha Ansari then dug a grave for him at the same spot.

Then the people came to pay their last respects to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and to say the funeral prayer in batches one after another. Women came in after the men followed by the children, all of whom prayed over him. Nobody acted as Imam in the prayers over the Prophet (peace be upon him) . (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 663)

The day this came to pass was Tuesday.  (Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d; Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 517)

It was a sad day for Madinah. When Bilal gave the call for morning prayer he could not help recalling the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his mind and broke down in tears and sobs. His crying tore the hearts of all others who had been part of the living. But, it was quite different now, as everything seemed to be wearisome, gloomy.

Umm Salama says, “What a tormenting affliction it was! When we recall the distress we were in, every other trouble appears to be lighter and easier to endure.’ (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. IV, p. 517)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) had once said to the believers, “O ye people! If any one of you comes to grief, he ought to console himself in his bereavement by recalling to his mind the anguish that will rend his heart on my death. For no sorrow would be greater to my followers than the agony caused to them by my death.” (Ibn Kathir Vol. IV, p. 549)

 

 

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Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Farewell Pilgrimage
The Journey of Faith – Umrah in Ramadan
2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Farewell Pilgrimage

 

Everything had come about as willed by Allah. The faith in One God had cleansed and illuminated the souls. The devil within had been cast away together with the vileness of the pagan past. The false deities been removed from the House of God.

Once again, the believers’ hearts were set on going to the holy sanctuary for it was already a very long time since they had been there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed in Madinah for nine years but did not perform Hajj. Then, in the tenth year he made a public announcement to the effect that Allah’s Messenger was about to perform the Hajj. The mission of the Prophet of God (peace be upon him) was also nearing completion, as he was soon to bid farewell to his loving companions. And so, Allah permitted His Messenger to take them for pilgrimage, and thus, it was the first Hajj of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Islam.

EDUCATIONAL ASPECT OF THE PILGRIMAGE

The reason for the Prophet (peace be upon him) setting out from Madinah for the pilgrimage were many. He had to meet the Muslims coming from far and near; to teach them the observances of faith and the rituals of Hajj; to bear witness to the truth and thus finally redeem his pledge to God; to advise them as well as to give them final instructions: to administer them an oath to follow his teachings and to trample under his feet the last remnants of the pagan past. His pilgrimage was, in truth and reality, better than a thousand sermons and lessons. It was an itinerant school, a mosque on the move or an ongoing training center which imparted knowledge to the unenlightened, animated the languid and indolent souls and invested the weak in spirit with the power of faith. All this was achieved under the benevolent and affectionate care of the greatest teacher, the Prophet of God (peace be upon him).

UNIQUE RECORD OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE

The minutest details of the Prophet’s journey have been preserved by the most trustworthy narrators, the companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them). It is a record so authentic and detailed for never before did there exist any historical document of such comparable genuineness be that of an Emperor’s itinerary or of the memoirs of any saint or scholar.

A SYNOPIS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set out from Madinah on the 25th of Dhul Q’ada, after performing the four Noon prayer followed by a sermon in which he explained the essentials of entering the pilgrim state known as Ihram.

The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) then went ahead raising his voice in praise of God: “Lab’baik Allah’humma Lab’baik Lab’baik la Sharika laka Lab’baik, innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal mulk, la sharika lak (At Your service, O God, at Your service, at Your service; You have no partner, at Your service; praise and grace art Thine, and the Dominion: You have no partner).”

The entire crowd chanted this Talbiya along with the Prophet (peace be upon him) where some curtailed a few words while others supplemented it with a few more in a tremor of excitement. But the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not admonish them. He kept on repeating the acclamation of God until he reached ‘Araj where he encamped. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and the Prophet (peace be upon him) rode on the same dromedary.

The stages in the journey ahead were at al-Abwa, the wadi of Asfan, Saraf and then Dhi tawa where he stayed during the night. It was now the 4th of Dhil Hijja. The Prophet (peace be upon him) offered the morning prayer at this place and also took a bath. The caravan now bent its steps towards Makkah and entered the valley from its heights. It was an hour or so before noon when his glance fell on the Kaaba. He exclaimed “O God, increase the honor and estimation, deference and awe of Your House.” And then lifting up his hands, he raised his voice to say, ” God is Great”. Then he said: “Peace be upon Thee, O God; peace is from Thee; O Lord, cause us to live in peace.” The first thing he did on entering the sanctuary was to go straight to the Kaaba. He kissed the black stone stationed in the south-east corner, and then moved on to encompass the Kaaba seven times, running three of them and walking four, commencing on the right and leaving the Kaaba on the left. He went round at a slow pace.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was walking at a quicker step but the paces were not long. The seamless garment in which he had wrapped himself was thrown loosely over one shoulder, the other being left bare. Each time he passed the Hajjr Aswad, he touched it with a stick in his hand and kissed it. Thereafter he proceeded to the Station of Abraham and recited the Quranic verse:

“Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to prayer);” [Quran 2:125]

And then offered two units of prayer. Going back to the Hajr Aswad after the prayer, he kissed it again and then he brought himself to As-Safa from the opposite door. On reaching near As-Safa the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Lo! As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the signs of God. [Quran 2:158]

I begin with what Allah began with.”

So he mounted it until he could see the House of God, declared God’s Unity and proclaimed His greatness facing the Qiblah. He affirmed:

“There is no god but Allah alone who has no partner, to Him belongs the dominion, to Him praises is due, and He is omnipotent, there is no god but Allah who alone has fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and alone routed the confederates.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained in Makkah from 4th of Dhil Hijja to 8th of Dhil Hijja. On 9th of Dhil Hijja morning he came to Mina along-with the Muslims, performed the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers and stayed there for the night. It was the night before Jummuah. After the sun had risen he moved for ‘Arafat where he saw the tent set up for him at Namirah.

God’s Messenger rested in the tent and when the sun had passed the meridian he ordered Qaswa to be brought. When it was saddled for him he went down into the valley and addressed the people wherein he explained to them the fundamental principles of Islam and struck at the roots of polytheism and ignorance. He commanded to treat as inviolable and sacrosanct the life, honor and property of every person, as warranted by all the religions, and declared that all the usages and customs of the pagan past were abolished. The Prophet (peace be upon him) abolished the usury of the pre-Islamic days although he allowed the recovery of the original sums lent to the debtors. In his sermon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed the rights of women, threw light on the mutual obligations of the husband and wife and bade the people to deal kindly and provide food and clothing to their spouses in a fitting manner.

Thereafter, referring to the Book of Allah he told his companions that if they hold fast to it they would never fall into error. Finally, he told them that on the Day of Judgement, Allah would ask them about him, so what reply would they give on that day. The entire congregation chorused, that they would testify that he had conveyed the message and fulfilled his mission.

Then, raising his finger towards the sky, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “O Allah, be witness”, repeating it thrice. He also asked those who are present to spread it out to those who were absent.

The sermon ended, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Bilal to give the call to prayer. After the call was over, he performed the noon and afternoon prayers, making only two Ra’kats for each. It was then Jummuah, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered this sermon.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then mounted his camel and came to Mauqif, the place of standing, where he remained atop the camel until sunset, lamenting, beseeching and glorifying the Lord. He appeared to be tormented and disconsolate, repeatedly raising his hands in prayer to his chest, like a man bereaved and an indigent crying for his livelihood.

He was heard saying:  “O God, You hear what I say; and see where I am; and know what I conceal or reveal. Nothing can remain hidden from Thee. I am tormented, indigent and miserable, seeking refuge with thee as one who is sorrow-stricken and horrified. I acknowledge my sins and confess my faults; I call upon Thee like a beggar and cry unto Thee like an abased sinner; I beseech Thee like one who is dismayed and harassed, falling prone before Thee, and shedding tears; like one who has thrown oneself at Your feet and is licking the dust. O God, cause me not to fail in supplication to Thee; be Kind and Merciful unto me: Lo! You art the best of all those who are implored and the Most Generous of all the Bestower.”

It was then that God sent down the revelation:  “This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as your religion Al-Islam.” [Quran 5:3]

When the disc of the sun had disappeared, the Prophet (peace be upon him) took Usama up behind him and wended ahead slowly, holding the halter of his camel in a way that his head, lowered in submission to God, almost touched the saddle. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was repeating the Talbiya: “At Your Service, O Allah, at Your Service…” and asking the people to proceed slowly and gently. He kept raising his voice in Talbiya until he came to Muzdalifa. There he ordered Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) to give the call for prayers and performed the sunset prayer before the camels were rested and unloaded. He recited the night prayer after the camels were relieved and then went to take rest and slept till dawn.

Having performed the dawn prayer early in the morning, the Prophet (peace be upon him) mounted on Qaswa and came to Mash’ar al-Haram, the sacred site in Muzdalifah, where he faced the Qibla, supplicated God and declared His Greatness until the morning light was clear. Thus he glorified God before the sun had risen. Then he left Muzdalifa with Fadl b. ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) up behind him on top of his camel, chanting the Talbia all the way. He asked Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) to pick up seven small pebbles for Rami Jimar. When he came to the middle of the valley of Muhassar, he urged his camel to go fast and passed the plain quickly for it was the place where punishment was inflicted upon the army of Abraha. The Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Mina and from there to the Jamratul ‘Aqaba There he threw the pebbles after the sun had fully risen and ended it with the recitation of Talbiya.

Returning to Mina, the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered a resolute address in which he dwelt upon the sacredness of Yaum An-Nahr and the significance Allah has assigned to the day. He elucidated the honor and distinction conferred by God on Makkah over all the cities of the world and called upon the people to follow whoever guided them in accordance with the Book of Allah. Then, asking the people present there to learn the rites of pilgrimage from him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) urged them not to revert to the ways of the infidels, beheading one another after him. He asked those present to convey everything he had told them to those who were absent.

Thereafter, he said: “Worship your Lord, offer prayers five times a day, observe fast for a month (in Ramadan), obey those of you who are in authority and you shall enter the Paradise of your Lord.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said something to his companions on this occasion which alluded to his valediction and hence the pilgrimage came to be known as the Farewell Pilgrimage.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then went to the place of sacrifice in Mina and sacrificed sixty-three camels by his own hand – the number of sacrificial camels being analogous to the number of years he remained alive. He ordered ‘Ali (RA) to sacrifice the remaining excess number to make up a total of one hundred camels sacrificed on his behalf. The offering having been completed, he sent for the barber, got his head shaved and distributed his shaved hair among the people. Then he returned to Makkah on his mount and went round the Kaaba again. After that he came near the well of Zamzam and drank its water without sitting down, and returned to Mina on the same day. He spent the night at Mina where he stayed until the sun had passed the meridian; then he proceeded to stone the Jamrahs and starting from the first one he went on to throw pebbles on the middle Jamrah and finally on the last one. The Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered two sermons at Mina, one on the Day of Sacrifice which has been mentioned earlier and the next on the day after.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained at the place to perform the stoning of the Jamrahs on the three days after the Day of Sacrifice, known as Ayyam-I-Tashriq.

Thereafter he departed for Madinah.

When the outskirts of Madinah appeared, he raised his voice to say, “Allah is Great”, three times and then said, “There is no god but Allah. He is One, without any partner, to him belongs the dominion and the praise and He has power over all things. (We are) the returning and the repenting and the submitting and the worshipping; God has fulfilled His promise and helped His bondman and alone routed the confederates.” (Zad al-Ma’ad, Vol. I, p. 249)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) entered Madinah in the broad daylight.

THE ADDRESSES OF THE PROPHET (peace be upon him)

The sermons delivered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the Day of Arafah and on the second day of Tashriq are presented here as both are fitting and eloquent as well as significantly instructive for all and good.

“Your blood and your property are inviolable sacredness of this day in this month in this city of yours. Lo! Everything pertaining to the days of paganism is wrongful. And claims of blood-vengeance belong to the pre-Islamic period have been abolished. The first claim on blood I remit is that of ibn S’ad Rabi’a b. al-Harith who was suckled among Bani S’ad and killed by Hudhayl.

“The usury of the days of ignorance is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of my own uncle, ‘Abbas b. ‘Abdul Muttalib, for all it is abolished.

“Fear Allah concerning women. Verily, you have taken them under God’s security and have made their persons lawful unto you by God’s Word. It is incumbent upon them that they must not bring into your houses anyone whom you dislike; but if they do that then you have authority to chastise them, yet not severely. You are responsible for providing them with their food and clothing in a fitting manner.

“I have left among you a thing, by which, if you hold to it, you will never go astray. What is that? It is the Book of Allah!

“And you would be asked by Allah about me so what would you say?”

The companions replied, with one voice, “We testify that you have conveyed the message and fulfilled your mission.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then raised his forefinger towards the sky and said thrice, “O Allah, be witness.”

The text of the other sermon, delivered by the Prophet (peace be upon him), on the second day of Tashriq, is as follows:

O people, do you know in which city you are, what month and what day is this?” asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) from his audience.

They replied, “This is the sacred month, the day has a great sanctity and the city is the holy city.”

Resuming his address the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your lives and your property and your honour shall remain scared to the Day of Resurrection like this day, this month and this city. Behold! Take it from me so that you may live. Beware! Do no wrong. Beware! Do no wrong. Beware! do no wrong! It is not lawful for you to take anything from the property of a Muslim save by his consent. Every claim for blood-vengeance and bloodwit that was due since the days of ignorance is now abolished to the Day of Judgement. And the first claim of blood-vengeance that I remit is that of Ibn Rabi’a b. al- Harith b. ‘Abdul Muttalib who was suckled among Ibn Laith and killed by Hudhayl. The usury of the pagan past is abolished is that of ‘Abbas b. ‘Abdul Muttalib.

“Time has completed the cycle to reach the same point when God created the heavens and the earth.’

Thereafter he recited the Quranic verse:

“Lo! The number of months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them.’[Quran 9:36]

“Behold! Do not become infidels after me, beheading one another. The devil has despaired of ever being worshipped of ever being worshipped by those who pray, but he will create dissensions among you. Fear Allah concerning women. You have claims on your womenfolk and they on you. They are saddled with the obligation not to bring in anyone whom you dislike, but if you suspect, instruct and withdraw from them, and chastise them but lightly. You are obliged to provide them with food and clothing in a befitting manner for you have got them under God’s security, and have a right to their person by God’s word.”

“Behold! Whoever holds anything in trust should return it to the person who had trusted him with it.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then asked, “Have I delivered the message?” Thereafter he said, “Let him who is present convey it to him who is absent, for many a one to whom a message is conveyed can better enshrine it in his memory.” (Ahmad, on the authority of Abu Hurra ar-Raqashi)

 

 

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The Journey of Faith – Umrah in Ramadan
2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Last Sermon

The last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is known as Khutbatul Wada’.

Date delivered: 632 AD, 9th day of Dhul al Hijjah, 10 A.H. in the ‘Uranah valley of Mount Arafat.

After praising, and thanking God, he said:

“O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital , however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.

O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste…

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God (The One Creator of the Universe), perform your five daily prayers (Salaah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR MESSENGER WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God (the QURAN) and my SUNNAH (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

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2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Most Noble Character

 

Many biased historians and bigots in the media even today portray the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a bloodthirsty, ruthless person with a big harem. This could not be any farther away from the truth. The nobility of his character and the truthfulness of his mission is plain for all to see if one is prepared to face up to the facts with an open mind discarding all pre-concieved false ill notions.

Referring to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Allah (SWT) says,

“And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character”. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 68, Verse 4)

“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah”. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 33: 21)

Let us focus on some of the incidents which took place in his life and analyze his nature by his actions in different circumstances.

• Once the Prophet was so badly stoned by his enemies that he was bleeding all over his body. This happened when he went to Taif, to call them to Islam. Instead of listening to his words of wisdom, they set the street urchins upon him, who kept chasing him till nightfall. Even at that point, when he was utterly exhausted and bleeding from head to foot, all he said was: “O my Lord, guide my people along the true path, as they are ignorant of the truth.”

• Muhammad(pbuh)’s own example was testified to by Anas ibn Malik, who served Muhammad (pbuh) for ten years. He said that Muhammad never once rebuked him. “When I did something, he never questioned my manner of doing it; and when I did not do something, he never questioned my failure to do it. He was the most good-natured of all men.”

• While the Hudaybiyah treaty was being drafted with the Makkans, they engaged in a number of extremely provocative acts. For instance, the agreement mentioned Muhammad (pbuh)’s name as “Muhammad the Messenger of Allah.” They insisted that the phrase “the Messenger of Allah” be taken out and replaced by “son of Abdullah.” Muhammad accepted their unreasonable condition and deleted the appellation with his own hands. Similarly, they made the condition that if they could lay their hands on any Muslim, they would make him or her a hostage, but if the Muslims succeeded in detaining any non-Muslim, they would have to set him free. Muhammad even relented on this point.

• A Hadith recorded by Bukhari: A funeral procession passed us and the Prophet stood up for it. We said, but Prophet of God, this is a funeral of a Jew. The Prophet responded, rise.

• The time came when Muhammad and his Companions entered Makkah victorious and the Quraysh surrendered to them. On that glorious day, Muhammad (pbuh), once again, had the opportunity to retaliate for the painful years of persecution and oppression in Makkah, but once more, he showed an outstanding ability to forgive and overlook. He simply pardoned them forgave their past misdeeds. Thus, Makkah was conquered without a single drop of blood being shed.

• One day, Fatimah (RA) accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah stood at his side. A group of Quraysh gathered about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet’s uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi’ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked: “Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?” Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. The noble Prophet raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salat. He then said: “O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!” and repeated this imprecation three times. Then he continued: “May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah.” (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)

• The Prophet’s uncle, known in the Quran as Abu Lahab, threw stones at him and forced his sons to divorce their wives who were two of Muhammad’s daughters. Abu Lahab’s wife, apart from shouting profanities at him, used to tie bundles of firewood and thorns and throw it in Muhammad’s path. Neighbors threw goat dung on his back while he prayed. In all cases Muhammad would never return abusive language, slander or ridicule any of them. He would invoke God for help and justice, and in many cases ask God to guide them to Islam.

• Muhammad (pbuh) once said: A traveler who was thirsty saw a well on the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud because of thirst. The man thought to himself that the dog should be as thirsty as he was and so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. And thus he quenched the dog’s thirst. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins. The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?” Muhammad replied: “There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart.”

These are very little glimpses from the life of Muhammad (pbuh) which show his truthfulness and compassion. Verily, those who portray him in bad light are only those who earn God’s anger and those who have gone astray.

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2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

The Prophet(pbuh) was of a slightly above-average height. He was fair in complexion with a rosy tinge. His hair was black and wavy but stopped short of curling and was between his ear lobes and shoulders. Sometimes he would part his hair at the middle while at other times he would keep it braided. His face was radiant “as if the sun were following its course across and shining from his face” said one companion.

The Prophet(pbuh) had the physique of a powerful man. He had long muscular limbs, large joints and a wide girth. The Prophet(pbuh) would walk briskly with a forward-leaning gait, moving with a strength of purpose. Men would tire trying to keep up with him. When he spoke, he would turn his whole body giving full attention to the one addressing him and showing complete concern to what was being said.

He was free of pride and children would playfully lead him through the streets of Madinah whilst grasping his finger.

He(pbuh) said: “He who does not show mercy to our young, and honour our old, is not from us.” (Abu Dawud)

Ali(RA), cousin and son-in-law to the Prophet(pbuh) said of him: “He was the last of the Prophets, the most giving of hearts, the most truthful, the best of them in temperament and the most sociable. Whoever unexpectedly saw him would stand in awe of him, and ever accompanied him and got to know him would love him. Those describing him would say: ‘I have never seen anyone before or after him who was comparable to him.’”

Ayesha’(RA) said of him: “He always joined in household chores and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether and feed his animals.” (Bukhari)

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (The Holy Quran, Chapter 33, Verse 21)

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Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Most Noble Character
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Last Sermon
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : The Farewell Pilgrimage
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : Eternal Rest
The Journey of Faith – Umrah in Ramadan
2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : May Allah’s Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him

May Allah’s Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him

There is no one whose memory is better preservved in writing than the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Volumes have been written about his life. Numerous poems have been written in his praise. Countless gatherings throughout the ages have been devoted to the retelling of his life and his deeds.

In his life, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) knew the utmost strength and the most debilitating weakness, he knew the limits of happiness and grief. Yet, under all circumstances, he remained the best role-model. He was always constant in his devotion to his Lord.

For thirteen years, he held out in Makkah with almost no one heeding his call. He never complained. He never became disgruntled. His few followers would come to him complaining, asking him to beseech his Lord to help them. He swore to them that Allah would help His religion and told them that they were wrong for being impatient. And in the end, Allah fulfilled His promise, and it was a sign of Muhammad’s prophethood. It was a victory for Allah’s word, and not a personal triumph for any human being.

We can see this success in how the delegations from all the tribes of Arabia converged on him to give him their pledge of allegiance as Muslims. Even then, at his moment of triumph, his temperament did not change. He showed not an ounce of pride. He never came to his own defense when anyone assailed him or abused him or haughtily scoffed at the faith.

This is how enmity faded away, hatred came to an end, and everyone became reconciled once again. His enemies knew even before his friends that he was truly a prophet, and that he had no ulterior motives or personal ambitions. They were astonished by his easygoing nature, how he avoided making things difficult, and how he kept himself composed and balanced under all circumstances no matter what the difficulties were.

Most people, by nature, show their best at certain times. At other times or in other circumstances, they are unremarkable. They might be very good examples for some people, but not for everyone.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was different. He had time for everyone. He knew how to speak to all people on their own level so they could understand him. He would be most kind and considerate to everyone, and was equally compassionate, as long as those people were not armed assailants coming to attack the faith.

He voiced no objection to any lawful food, no matter how plain. He would not disdain the humblest of seats. Everyone could sit in his company. He never turned anyone away nor criticized anything that was served to him. Nor would he pretentiously forbid himself a delicacy. He liked nice things, but did not demand them or seek after them.

His life story is an open book to everyone – to those who love him and those who would disparage him. His every feature is described to us, his manner of speaking, and even the way he gestured with his hands. His eating habits, sleeping habits, traveling habits, likes and dislikes are all duly recorded. His family life is described to us, the kinds of jokes he would tell, and how he behaved when he was serious.

Anyone who studies his biography today – 1400 years after his time – will know more about him than they know about the people they follow today who are living among them.

Anyone who reads his biography today will know more about him than most people know about their spouses or their closest of friends. The prophets of the past were less well known to their people during their lifetimes than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is known to us today. The reason for this is that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is meant to be an example for all people in all aspects of their lives.

The head of state, the business executive, the scholar, the spouse, the parent, the educator, the rich, the poor… they all find in the Prophet (peace be upon him) a complete example to guide them in all the affairs of their lives. All of us, without exception, can take him as our role model regardless of what challenges we might face.

When we read about the lives of other great people, we can find they made some remarkable achievements and had some admirable traits. We find pious people who were steadfast in their worship, scholars who were devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, ascetics who eschewed the world – people whose lives seem too difficult or remote to be practical examples for us. When we read about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we feel his life to be close to ours, someone we can easily emulate, someone whose impeccable virtues we can indeed inculcate into our own lives.

He taught his Companions: “This religion is easy. No one becomes harsh and strict in the religion without it overwhelming him. So fulfill your duties as best you can, and rejoice. Rely upon the efforts of the morning and the evening and a little at night and you will reach your goal.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (6463) and Sahih Muslim (2816)]

Those who wish to follow the path of guidance are best advised to study the Prophet’s life carefully, learn its lessons and adopt them in full.

Allah has given this unique and honored status to no one else. This is because Allah gathered within the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the guidance of all the previous prophets whom He commanded humanity to follow. Allah says about the earlier Prophets:

“Those were the (prophets) who received Allah’s guidance: so follow the guidance they received.” [Surah al-An`am: 90]

Then Allah says specifically about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.” [Surah al-Ahzab: 21]

Many Muslims manage to emulate the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the outward aspects of worship and follow him, for instance, in their manner of performing their prayers and in observing their pilgrimage rites. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” He also said: “Take from me your pilgrimage rites.”

They also emulate the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the etiquettes of entering and leaving a building and in the etiquettes of dress, and other similar matters.

This is part of what it means to follow the Prophet’s example, but it is certainly not all that it means, nor is it more important than other aspects of emulating the Prophet’s example. We must emulate our Prophet’s example in how we relate to our Lord – in our sincerity and devotion to Allah. We need to do so in how we judge ourselves and appraise our actions, and in how we love Allah, pin our hopes on Allah, and fear Allah. These matters are more worthy of our concern, though we may be less conscious about them because they are inconspicuous. People are naturally encouraged to vie in things which are visible, things which solicit the praise and esteem of others. This is unfortunately not the case for matters that are seen by Allah alone.

This is why sometimes a person will take so much care in emulating the Prophet’s conduct in an outward aspect of worship or an outward habitual act and exaggerate the matter so much that he actually deviates from what is enjoined upon him by Islam. At the same time, he neglects to contemplate on the wisdom behind that outward action or what effect it is supposed to have upon his character.

All of these matters – even those related to aspects of pure worship – are enjoined upon us for some benefit in this world or in the next. They are not merely an end in themselves, but rather a means to bring about an effect upon the person who puts them into practice – a positive effect that can be seen by that person and by others.

May Allah bless us to love our Prophet and follow his example in both outward and inward matters. May Allah gather us together with him along with the prophets, the righteous, and the foremost in faith. Indeed they are the best of company.

- Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

Conciseness in Speech

Speaking is an art, as is writing. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been described as possessing “eloquent conciseness” in speech. He would say a few words, but those words would carry an immense wealth of meaning.

His wife, `A’ishah, confirmed this. She said: “He did not have to speak at length like all of you do.”

The more condensed an expression is, the more meaning each word must carry. A maxim, for example, is a wise statement with no superfluity, no unnecessary words.

The impetus for abridgement is often scarcity of time. The mind and tongue are compelled, to conserve time, to encapsulate the broadest concepts and most complex ideas in small, easily digestible packages.

It is also quite natural for people to tire from listening to someone droning on. Boredom sets in, and the audience starts looking at their watches, thinking that the speaker really does not have any idea of how to present his or her subject.

Alas, human nature compels us to be long-winded when we speak. At a conference, the very same person who was looking at his watch while the first speaker was presenting her lecture may not act any better when it is his turn behind the podium. He naturally sees what he has to say to be important. He feels others will be just as interested in it as he is. Moreover, he has something new to say, and everything he has to offer contributes something more to the topic than his fellow speakers have provided.

With this mindset, he drones on, until the session chair tells him his time is up. He is shocked and blinks his eyes. He feels there must be some mistake. He has not even gotten to the main point of his lecture…

This is due to ego, and ego knows no bounds. It is a virtue to be able to recognize the power of one’s ego and how it influences one’s thoughts, behavior, and speech. This recognition is what allows one expect from oneself the same that one expects from others. This is a quality rarely achieved except by those who are very God-conscious.

Most people live by a double standard: one for themselves and one for everybody else. The standard for the self is very indulgent and always ready with excuses. The standard for others is one that easily identifies faults and shortcomings. If the person with this double standard is somewhat fair, he or she will feel sorry about those shortcomings and try to look beyond them. Some people do not even possess this degree of fairness, and look down upon others with derision.

In this regard, Ibn Hibban narrates the following saying: “One of you sees the sand in his brothers eyes, but fails to see the crud encrusting his own.”

Though our egos are mountainous, our speech and actions only reveal their summits. The deep and massive roots of our egos are neither seen nor heard by people, but Allah knows the secrets of our hearts. He forgives us our weaknesses, and He helps us to surmount them. If we are left to the whims of our own egos, we will surely bring ourselves to ruin.

- Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

Change of the Qiblah to Kaaba

Masjid Al Aqsa (Bait Al Maqdis) or the Farthest Mosque is the third Holiest Shrine in Islam. First one is Masjid Al Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Makkah City and the second one is Masjid Al Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) in Madinah City, in Saudi Arabia.

Masjid Al Aqsa

It is the First Qiblah of Muslims (Qiblah is the direction in which muslims all over the world must have to face to while praying to the Only One God of all – Almighty Allah). Masjid Al Aqsa was the Qiblah in the early part of Final Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Islamic Mission until that position was accorded to the Holy Kaaba (built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) 4,000 years before) by Almighty God Allah by a Divine Command (which is in the Holy Quran) in the second year of the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madina in 623/624 AD.

It is also associated with the Mairaj (Celestial Ascension) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He led the congregational prayer of all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) who had gathered by the Leave of Allah in the Bait Al Maqdis Mosque (in Jerusalem) which is, as mentioned before, the first Qiblah of Muslims.

The following saying of the Final Prophet Muhammad (SAW) signifies the sacred status of the Al Aqsa Mosque, Masjid-Un-Nabi and the Sacred Mosque where Kaaba is in Makkah, which is accorded by God Himself: “Praying once in Al Aqsa Mosque is equal to praying 50,000 times, and praying once in My Mosque is also equal to praying 50,000 times but praying once in the Sacred Mosque is equal to praying 100,000 times”. (Hadith collection of Ibn Majah- or Book of the Traditions of Final Prophet Muhammad – compiled by Ibn Majah).

Masjid Al Aqsa (Al Aqsa Mosque) is situated in Jerusalem, the Holy City is also called Bait Al Maqdis or Bait Al Muqaddas or the Sanctified House or the House of Sanctuary and in short Al Quds as well. Therefore because of all the above mentioned reasons, one can easily note, how important Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque are to Muslims all over the world.

 

CHANGE OF THE QIBLAH

Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) built the Kaaba

The Prophet (peace be upon him) as well as the Muslims had been facing Bait Al Maqdis (in Jerusalem) while worshipping, that is, they regarded it as housing the Qiblah. This practice was followed for one year and four months after migrating to Madinah. It was the Prophet’s desire that the Kaaba be made the Qiblah for prayers as did the other Arab converts to Islam, for they had been holding the sanctuary at Makkah in a reverential regard since time immemorial. To them the house of worship built by Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them both) was the holiest of the holy ones, incomparable in sanctity to any other sanctum or shrine. They were put to a severe test by being asked to face Jerusalem instead of the Kaaba and they withstood this trial by dutifully obeying the divine command.

 

“Prophet Muhammad used to supplicate to Allah and look at the sky, waiting for Allah’s command.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Such was their devotion to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that they always replied, whether they found anything to their linking or not.

“We hear, and we obey,” [Surah Al-Nur 24:51]

and:

“We believe therein: The whole is from our Lord,” [Surah Al'-Imran 3:7]

Thus, after the faith of the earliest Muslims had been brought to a test and they had defied it successfully, the Qiblah for the prayer was changed to the Kaaba.

 

“Thus, have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qiblah to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels (from the Faith). Indeed it was (a change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:143]

“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The People of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord, Nor is Allah unmindful of what they do.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144]

 

  

Masjid Al Haram - Kaaba

 

The Muslims changed their direction promptly in prayer, in compliance with divine command, towards the Kaaba which was henceforth selected as the Qiblah for all the believers, living in any part of the World, for all times to come.

 

Sahih Bukhari :: Book #8, Hadith #392
Narrated Bara’ bin ‘Azib:

Allah’s Apostle prayed facing Bait Al Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months but he loved to face the Kaaba (at Makkah) so Allah revealed: “Verily, We have seen the turning of your face to the heaven!” (Quran 2:144) So the Prophet faced the Kaaba and the fools amongst the people namely “the Jews” said, “What has turned them from their Qiblah (Bait Al Maqdis) which they formerly observed”" (Allah revealed): “Say: ‘To Allah belongs the East and the West. He guides whom he will to a straight path’.” (Quran 2:142) A man prayed with the Prophet (facing the Kaaba) and went out. He saw some of the Ansar praying the ‘Asr prayer with their faces towards Bait Al Maqdis, he said, “I bear witness that I prayed with Allah’s Apostle facing the Kaaba.” So all the people turned their faces towards the Kaaba.

 

THE JEWS LASH OUT AGAINST THE MUSLIMS

It preyed upon the minds of the Jews that Islam had established itself in Madinah and was making rapid strides day after day. They were sane enough to realize that if the popularity of Islam continued unabated for an extended period of time, it would be difficult for them to stand up against their potential enemies. So they decided to put up a front against the Muslims and launched a campaign to slight, vilify and ridicule them.

The Muslims, were however, not permitted to return the tirades hurled against them. They were commanded to be patient and forbearing as evidenced by the Quranic verse that says:

“Withhold your hands, establish worship.” [Surah Al-Nisa' 4:77]

Such was the code of behavior enjoined upon them so that they might learn to disdain the world and its pleasures, become self-denying, get prepared to make nobler sacrifices, experiencing in the end obedience to Allah’s commands.

These are among what the Jews argued:

• If it was right, the Jews argued, that the Muslims should formerly face Jerusalem in their Prayers, then the new direction is wrong.

• They also told the Muslims: “Your Prayers from now on would then be of no value. If, on the other hand, the new direction is right and the Kabah is the true qiblah, then your Prayers in the past were in vain.”

• The Jews also argued that God, the Lord Who knows all, does not change His instructions in that manner. The change clearly showed, the Jews went on, that Muhammad did not really receive any revelation from God.Reassurance was needed and was, indeed, provided in a long passage in the Quran, which runs from verse 106 to verse 150 in the Surah Al-Baqarah.

 

Sahih Bukhari :: Book #60, Hadith #13
Narrated Al-Bara:

“The Prophet prayed facing Bait Al Maqdis (i.e. Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that his Qiblah would be the Kaaba (at Makkah). (So Allah Revealed (Quran 2:144) and he offered ‘Asr prayers(in his Mosque facing Kaaba at Makkah) and some people prayed with him. A man from among those who had prayed with him, went out and passed by some people offering prayer in another mosque, and they were in the state of bowing. He said, “I, (swearing by Allah,) testify that I have prayed with the Prophet facing Makkah.” Hearing that, they turned their faces to the Kaaba while they were still bowing. Some men had died before the Qiblah was changed towards the Kaaba. They had been killed and we did not know what to say about them (i.e. whether their prayers towards Jerusalem were accepted or not). So Allah revealed:– “And Allah would never make your faith (i.e. prayer) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered (towards Jerusalem). Truly Allah is Full of Pity, Most Merciful towards mankind.”" (Quran 2:143)

 

Inside the Masjid Al Qiblatain (Mosque of the Two Qiblahs)

Corresponding the Jews asking why the change of Qiblah, Allah revealed:

“And to Allah belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn (yourselves or your faces) there is the Face of Allah (and He is High above, over His Throne). Surely! Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:115]

 

“To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah Hath power over all things. From whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do. So from whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; and wheresoever ye are, turn your face thither: that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favours on you, and ye May (consent to) be guided; A similar (favour have ye already received) in that We have sent among you an Apostle of your own, rehearsing to you Our Signs, and purifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and Wisdom, and in new Knowledge. Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not Faith.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:148-152]

 

 

Masjid Al Qiblatain

During Asr prayer, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had led his Companions in praying two Rak’ahs (units), then he was commanded to face towards the Kaaba, so he turned around towards the Kaaba. The mosque where he offered this prayer became known as the mosque of the Two Qiblahs (Masjid AlQiblatain). This took place halfway through the month of Rajab in 2AH, two months before the great battle of Badr. Masjid Al Qiblatain (or the Mosque with two Qiblas), is situated in Madinah, a few kilometres from Masjid Al Nabawi. It is one of the oldest Mosques in the world, and uniquely contains thus two mihrabs – one in the direction of Bait Al Maqdis (Jerusalem), and the other towards Makkah.

 

Read More:
The Journey of Faith – Umrah in Ramadan
2nd Holiest Place : Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah
The Struggles of Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis salaam)

‘Ya Muhammad! Give me some of what you have…’

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was returning to his house, accompanied along the way by Anas b. Malik. We can imagine how he felt upon approaching the door of his home after a particularly exhausting day disseminating the message of Islam and managing the affairs of his community. He wanted nothing more than to rest in the informal comforts of his home.

He was wearing a simple, coarse cloak with an unfinished hem, which was barely more than a large rectangle of cloth which he draped over his shoulders and slung around his neck. Its trailing edge hung down his back.

Finally, he reached the door to his house and was just about to enter when a desert dweller came rushing up to him. When he reached the Prophet (peace be upon him) he yanked the trailing edge of his cloak from behind. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was startled by the force of the pull and staggered backwards, barely staying on his feet. The cloth actually tore from the strength of the pull, and what was worse, since it was slung about the Prophet’s neck, it tightened around his throat. The strength of the pull had a visible effect upon the Prophet’s neck.

We would expect at this point that the desert-dweller would realize his mistake, let go of the cloak, and apologize to the Prophet (peace be upon him). We would then expect to hear that the Prophet (peace be upon him), being the generous-hearted man that he was, would just as readily forgive him – and that would be that.

This is not what happened.

Instead, the desert dweller spoke up: “Ya Muhammad!” – a crass manner of address indeed! Where is the basic respect that the Prophet (peace be upon him) deserves?

“Ya Muhammad! Give me some of what you have of Allah’s wealth.”

Now, please take a moment to imagine how any normal person would react to being handled in this way – to being all of the sudden accosted by a ruffian who pulls your clothing from behind, causing you to stagger and choke (not to mention ruining your clothes) and who then, without any apology, has the audacity to ask you for money in a most unmannerly fashion. Any one of the desert-dwellers actions is enough to make one of us livid with anger.

How did the Prophet (peace be upon him) react?

Anas tells us: “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) turned his face to the desert-dweller and smiled. Then he gave instructions for the desert-dweller to be given some charity.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (5362)]

This incident tells us something very important. This is not just a case of self-control. It shows us something above and beyond good-natured clemency and generosity. There is something far more important in operation here.

The encounter with the desert-dweller was a sudden thing. There was no time for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to think about how he was going to respond. There was no time for him to collect himself, check his anger, and put on a cheery face. Any angry reaction – which is what we would naturally expect – would have come as quickly as the desert-dweller’s assault.

However, the Prophet’s immediate reaction was not at all what we would expect. The prophet (peace be upon him) did not act according to Newton’s Law – for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. He showed unimpeachable good manners.

It is as Allah says: “Indeed, you are of immense good conduct.”

What amazes us is that the Prophet’s smiling face was his immediate reaction to the ruffian’s disrespect. The Prophet’s response shows a presence of mind, composure, and an exercise of self control that there was simply no time for. His turning his face to the man shows concern. His smile shows welcome, and his generosity shows a concern for that person’s needs. But all of this came about as an immediate reaction from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It was instinct.

This shows us that we can condition our hearts so that our gut reactions coincide with our deliberate thought-out actions. We can acquire mastery over ourselves to such an extent that we actually cultivate and shape our instincts.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) once advised someone repeatedly by saying: “Do not get angry.” He also said: “The strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.”

Here we see perfect harmony between words and actions. It is one thing to speak about controlling one’s anger. It is another thing to exhibit such self-control when caught off guard. The perfect harmony between word and deed is one of the Prophet’s exemplary character traits that makes him the perfect role-model for the believers.

This anecdote about the desert-dweller tells us something else of vital importance. We might also ask: What is it which made the desert-dweller think he could act in that way? How could he think that he could go up to the head of state and the leader of the religious community – right in the middle of the that community – yank the Prophet’s cloak and ask him for money like that? Sure, he was an uncouth desert-dweller. But he should have at least felt afraid to behave the way he did. He should have feared the Prophet’s reaction or that of the community.

However, the desert-dweller knew he had no reason to fear. He felt perfectly comfortable approaching the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a way that was familiar and natural for him. The desert-dweller knew he could be himself. He felt that since he had a right to charity, he could just go up to the Prophet and demand it.

This shows us what living in the Prophet’s community was like. It was a society where people did not live in fear. They could be themselves. The Prophet’s kindness, generosity, and good-natured ways were taken for granted. The desert-dweller, in all his coarseness, never expected anything from the Prophet (peace be upon him) but what was best.

- Dr. `Abd al-Wahhab al-Turayri